Tone:
displays the attitude of its narrator, especially his/her opinion of the characters and/or events in the story
determined by diction (word choice) and syntax (meaning how the chosen words are phrased, how they're put together in a sentence)
different from mood; mood signifies the emotional atmosphere of the story, and how this may effect the reader while they're reading, rather than the exuded emotions of the narrator
Example in Frost's "After Apple-Picking"
For I have had too much
Of apple-picking; I am overtired
Of the great harvest I myself desired.
(26-8)
Effect: Frost gives his narrator a tone of irony and regret, heavy with weariness. The effect of the tone is to convey one of Frost's messages and perhaps his purpose in writing the poem -- Frost highlights the irony in people working, working, working towards a goal they desire, and in the end being too spent to enjoy the "fruits" or apples of their labour.
Example in Shakespeare's King Lear
You see me here, you gods, a poor old man
As full of grief as age, wretched in both.
(2.4.314-5)
Effect: Lear's lines carry a tone of bitterness mixed with anguish at his situation; the effect Shakespeare creates evokes pity from the audience as they listen to the once-mighty king, now fallen, despair over his helplessness.
displays the attitude of its narrator, especially his/her opinion of the characters and/or events in the story
determined by diction (word choice) and syntax (meaning how the chosen words are phrased, how they're put together in a sentence)
different from mood; mood signifies the emotional atmosphere of the story, and how this may effect the reader while they're reading, rather than the exuded emotions of the narrator
Example in Frost's "After Apple-Picking"
For I have had too much Of apple-picking; I am overtired Of the great harvest I myself desired. (26-8)Effect: Frost gives his narrator a tone of irony and regret, heavy with weariness. The effect of the tone is to convey one of Frost's messages and perhaps his purpose in writing the poem -- Frost highlights the irony in people working, working, working towards a goal they desire, and in the end being too spent to enjoy the "fruits" or apples of their labour.Example in Shakespeare's King Lear
You see me here, you gods, a poor old man As full of grief as age, wretched in both. (2.4.314-5)Effect: Lear's lines carry a tone of bitterness mixed with anguish at his situation; the effect Shakespeare creates evokes pity from the audience as they listen to the once-mighty king, now fallen, despair over his helplessness.by Frances Nan